The Estimated Resident Population (ERP) of the ACT at the end of March quarter 2003 was 323,791. This was an increase of 1,111 people (0.3%) from December quarter 2002.

Components of population change

Natural Increase

Natural increase (births minus deaths) in the ACT resident population was 703 for March quarter 2003. This was a 6% increase on the previous quarter (666).

There were 970 births in the ACT during March quarter 2003. This was a 1% decrease from December quarter 2002, but a 9% increase from the March quarter 2002. March quarter 2003 was the third consecutive quarter to record a fall.

The number of deaths in the ACT for March quarter 2003 fell 16% from the previous quarter to 267 deaths.

Interstate Migration

The ACT experienced a net loss of -382 people during March quarter 2003. This was higher than recorded in both December quarter 2002 (-163) and March quarter 2002 (-37).

A total of 4,733 people arrived in the ACT from other areas of Australia during March quarter 2003. This was a 18% decrease from December quarter 2002. Most arrivals came from New South Wales (2,720 or 57% arrivals). Second was Queensland with 666 arrivals (14%), and the least number of arrivals came from Tasmania with 97 arrivals (2%).

There were 5,115 departures from the ACT during December quarter 2002 to other states/territories. Most people departed to NSW with 2,858 departures from the ACT arriving here (56%). Queensland recorded the second highest number of people arriving from the ACT with 983 (18%), while Tasmania had the least number of people arriving (80 people or 2%).

Overseas Migration

The ACT experienced a net gain of 790 people during March quarter 2003 from overseas migration. This was an increase of 847 people from the previous quarter and was the highest figure recorded since records began in 1986. The lowest figure was recorded in December quarter 1994 (-618).

LABOUR

Labour force status

The ACT trend labour force participation rate has been decreasing every month since November 2002. For August 2003, the trend participation rate was 71.1% which was down 0.5 percentage points from May 2003 (71.6%) and down 2.0 percentage points from August the previous year (73.1%).

The ACT participation rate was the highest of all states and territories, followed by Northern Territory at 69.8%. Tasmania had the lowest participation rate at 58.7%. The national participation rate was 63.0%.

In the ACT for August 2003, there was a difference of 10.8 percentage points between the participation rate of males compared with females (76.6% and 65.8% respectively). Nationally, this difference was even higher with a difference of 15.8 percentage points between the male and female participation rates (71.0% and 55.2% respectively).

For August 2003, there were 178,300 people in the labour force in the ACT which was down less than 1% from May 2003 (179,000). Of those in the labour force in August 2003, 124,900 were employed full-time, 45,600 were employed part-time and 7,800 were unemployed. The trend number of unemployed people is the highest it has been since August 2002 (also 7,800).

The trend unemployment rate for the ACT in August 2003 was 4.4% which was an increase of 0.2 percentage points from May 2003 and was the highest unemployment rate since July 2002 (also 4.4%).

The national unemployment rate for August 2003 was 5.6%, which was 1.2 percentage points higher than the ACT.

Employed Persons

Unempoyment Rate

Youth labour force experience

In July 2003, there were 23,300 youths aged 15-19 years in the ACT. Over half (13,000 or 56%) of these were in the labour force. This was a decrease of 4% from July the previous year (13,500).

Of the 13,000 youths in the labour force in July 2003, 1,400 (11%) were unemployed (looking for work) and 11,600 (89%) were employed either full-time or part-time.

Of the employed youths in the ACT, 44% (5,100) were attending neither school nor a tertiary educational institution full-time, 37% (4,300) were attending school and 19% (2,200) were attending a tertiary educational institution full-time.

The participation rate for the ACT youth labour force in July 2003 was 56.0%. This was a decrease 1.3 percentage points from July 2002 (57.3%). The ACT participation rate for July 2003 was the third highest of all states and territories, behind Queensland (66.4%) and Western Australia (61.5%). The ACT participation rate was 0.7 percentage points higher than the national participation rate (56.7%).

Job vacancies

In May quarter 2003, job vacancies in the ACT decreased to 2,200. In May quarter 2003, both private and public sector vacancies accounted for 1,100 vacancies each.

The number of private sector job vacancies in the ACT fluctuated over the past 18 months. The highest figure recorded in this period was 2,600 in February quarter 2002, and the lowest was 600 in November quarter 2002.

The number of public sector job vacancies in the ACT declined from May 2002 to February 2003 but rose to 1,100 in May quarter 2003.

The ACT had the third highest job vacancy rate in May quarter 2003 (1.32), behind Northern Territory (1.58) and NSW (1.38). The ACT rate was also above the national rate of 1.25.

Industrial Disputes

In the ACT, in the 12 months ending May 2003, there were a total of 1,500 working days lost due to industrial disputes. This was a 275% increase from the 12 months ending May 2002 (400 working days lost) and a 25% increase from the 12 months ending May 2001.

There were four months where working days were lost due to industrial disputes during the year ending May 2003. March 2003 recorded the highest number of days lost (600 days). primarily in the construction industry.

In the 12 months ending May 2003, there were nine working days lost per 1,000 employees due to industrial disputes. This figure remained unchanged from the 12 months ending March 2003 and April 2003. In the 12 months ending May 2002, there were two working days lost per 1,000 employees.

Average hours worked

The average weekly hours worked by full-time workers in the ACT for August quarter 2003 was 40.2 hours. This was a 2% decrease from May quarter 2003 (40.9 hours) and a 1% decrease from August quarter 2002 (40.5 hours).

In August 2003, ACT male full-time workers worked 4.0 hours more than female full-time workers (41.8 and 37.8 hours respectively).

Part-time workers in the ACT worked an average of 16.5 hours a week for August quarter 2003, which was a 1% decrease from May 2003 (16.7 hours) and a 2% increase from August quarter 2002 (16.2 hours). Female part-time workers worked 1.1 hours more than male part-time workers (16.9 and 15.8 hours respectively).

Nationally, the full-time average weekly hours worked were 42.0 hours for August 2003. This was down less than 1% from the May quarter 2003 (42.1 hours) and was the same as August the previous year.

The part-time national average weekly hours worked were 16.4 hours for August quarter 2003, unchanged from the previous quarter, but a decrease of 1% from August 2002 (16.6 hours).

Wage Cost Index

The base of the wage cost index is September quarter 1997 (100.0).

The total hourly rates of pay index (excluding bonuses) for the ACT was 118.4 in June quarter 2003. This was an increase of 0.3 index points from March quarter 2003. The private sector index increased to 119.2, also an increase of 0.3 index points from the previous quarter. The public sector index increased to 117.9, which was also an increase of 0.3 index points over the same period.

Nationally, the total hourly rates of pay index (excluding bonuses) was 120.1, up 0.7 index points from March quarter 2003. The national private sector index increased to 119.5 (up 0.6 index points). The national public sector index increased to 121.8 (up 0.7 index points).

The ordinary time hourly rates of pay index (excluding bonuses) for the ACT in June quarter 2003 increased to 118.4. This was an increase of 0.3 index points from March quarter 2003. Nationally, the ordinary time hourly rates of pay index (excluding bonuses) increased to 120.1, up 0.7 index points from March quarter 2003.

Employed people - industry

There were a total of 171,200 employed people in the ACT at August quarter 2003, down from May quarter 2003 (171,500).

The industry with the highest number of employees in the ACT at August quarter 2003 was GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND DEFENCE,with 44,300 employees (26% of all employed people). This was a rise of 3% (up 1,300 people) from May quarter 2003 (43,000 employees) and an increase of 8% from August quarter 2002 (41,200 employees).

The industry with the second highest number of employees in the ACT was PROPERTY AND BUSINESS SERVICES, with 24,300 employees (14% of all employed people). This was a fall of 2% from May quarter 2003 (24,900 employees) and a drop of 3% from August quarter 2002 (25,000 employees).

The third largest industry at August quarter 2003 in the ACT was RETAIL TRADE, with 21,500 employees (13% of all employed people). This was an increase of 2% from May quarter 2003 (21,100 employees), but a decrease of 8% from August quarter 2002 (23,300 employees).

At August quarter 2003 HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES had the largest increase from May quarter 2003 (up 2,300 people or 18%). This was followed by GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND DEFENCE (up 1,300 people or 3%).

The largest decrease from May quarter 2003 to August quarter 2003 was in the industry PERSONAL AND OTHER SERVICES (down 1,100 people or 13%). ACCOMMODATION, CAFES AND RESTAURANTSandCONSTRUCTION had the second largest decrease, both down 1,000 people (down 11% and 9% respectively).

Employed people - occupation

In the ACT, PROFESSIONALS made up the highest number of employed people in August quarter 2003 (50,600 people or 30% of employed people in the ACT). The second largest occupation group was INTERMEDIATE CLERICAL, SALES AND SERVICE WORKERS (36,500 people or 21%), followed by ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS (20,500 people or 12%). These three occupations have remained the largest occupation groups in this order since August 1996.

In August quarter 2003, the largest increase was in INTERMEDIATE CLERICAL, SALES AND SERVICE WORKERS (up 4,400 people or 14%). The second largest increase was in LABOURERS AND RELATED WORKERS (up 600 people or 8%), followed by TRADESPERSONS AND RELATED WORKERS (up 300 people or 2%). These were the only industry categories to record a rise from the previous quarter.

The largest decrease from the previous quarter was in PROFESSIONALS (down 1,800 people or 3%). The second largest decrease was in ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS (down 1,500 people or 7%), followed by INTERMEDIATE PRODUCTION AND TRANSPORT WORKERS (down 1,100 people or 15%).

Public sector - wages and salary earners

In trend terms a total of 75,000 people were employed in the public sector in the ACT in May quarter 2003. This was an increase of 400 people (1%) from February quarter 2003. In May quarter 2003 the Commonwealth government employed 57,400 people. This represented 77% of all people employed in the public sector in the ACT. The ACT government employed 17,600 people, 23% of all people employed in the public sector in the ACT.

During May quarter 2003, the number of ACT government employees increased by 100 people (up 1%) from the previous quarter. This figure was the same as that recorded in May quarter 2002.

In May quarter 2003, the trend estimates for the number of Commonwealth government public sector employees in the ACT increased by 300 people (up 1%) from the previous quarter, and 3,400 (up 6%) from May quarter 2002.

Nationally, 1.5m people were employed in the public sector in May quarter 2003. The Commonwealth government employed 242,800 people, 16% of all people employed in the public sector.

Public sector - gross earnings

In June quarter 2003, the total gross earnings by public sector wage and salary earners in the ACT were $995.4m, a 11% increase from March quarter 2003 ($1,113m). Nationally, total gross earnings by public sector wage and salary earners were $17,681m, an increase of 6% from June quarter 2002 ($16,692m).

Gross earnings by Commonwealth government wage and salary earners in the ACT in June quarter 2003 were $780m, a decrease of 13% from March quarter 2003 ($891m). The June quarter 2003 figure was an increase of 9% from June quarter 2002 ($713m). Nationally gross earnings by Commonwealth government wage and salary earners in June quarter 2003 were $3,049m, an 11% decrease from March quarter 2003 ($3,417m).

Gross earnings by ACT Government wage and salary earners were $216m in June quarter 2003, a decrease of 3% from March quarter 2003 ($222m).

Average weekly earnings

May 2003 was the 6th quarter of rise for ACT trend full-time adult ordinary time earnings at $1,056.40 per week. This was an increase of 2% from February 2003 ($1,036.40) and a 10% increase from May 2002 ($963.40).

The ACT continued to have higher trend full-time adult ordinary time earnings than all other states and territories. NSW came second behind the ACT at $967.70 per week, followed by Victoria at $920.30 per week.

Nationally, trend full-time adult ordinary time earnings rose 2% in May 2003 to $918.80 per week from February 2003 ($903.40). This was a 6% increase from May the previous year ($868.90).

In the ACT for May 2003, males trend full-time adult ordinary time earnings were $222.80 higher than females ($1,154.90 and $932.10 respectively). Males trend full-time adult ordinary time earnings increased by 3% from the February quarter 2003 ($1,123.90) while females increased by 0.8% from the same period ($924.70).

Nationally, in May 2003, males trend full-time adult ordinary time earnings were $155.20 higher than females ($975.20 and $820.00 respectively).

Average weekly earnings, full-time adult ordinary time earnings

PRICES

House Price Index

The House Price Index has a base of 1989-90 (100.0).

The June quarter 2003 established house price index for Canberra was 225.4. This was a 7% increase from the previous quarter (210.5) and an 24% increase from June quarter 2002 (182.1). June quarter 2003 was the 19th consecutive quarter to record an increase.

The established house price index for the weighted average of the eight capital cities for June quarter 2003, was 223.8. This was a 5% increase from March quarter 2003 (213.1), and a 18% increase from June quarter 2002 (189.5). This was the 11th consecutive quarter to record a rise. Canberra recorded the third highest increase (7%) in the established house price index from the previous quarter. The only cities to record an increase higher than Canberra were Brisbane and Adelaide (both 8%).

The project home price index for Canberra in June quarter 2003 was 178.3. This was a 4% increase on the previous quarter and a 8% increase on June quarter 2002. This was the 17th quarter to record an increase. Canberra, along with Brisbane, recorded the equal highest percentage increase (4%) in project home index from March quarter 2002 to June quarter 2003.

The weighted average of the eight capital cities recorded a project home price index of 147.9 for June quarter 2003. This was a 2% increase from the previous quarter (144.7) and a 6% increase from June quarter 2002 (139.9).

Canberra house price indexes(a)

Consumer Price Index

The base of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 1989-90 (100.0).

Canberra's all groups index for June quarter 2003 was 140.7. There was no change in the CPI from March quarter 2003, but there was a 2.6% (3.5 index points) increase from June quarter 2002. This was the first quarter to remain unchanged, following seven quarters of rise.

Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth also experienced no change in the all groups index from the previous quarter. Hobart experienced the largest growth (0.6%), followed by Darwin (0.3%) and Sydney (0.1%). The only city to record a fall was Adelaide (-0.2%).

During the June quarter 2003 Canberra experienced growth from the previous quarter in eight of the 11 product classes. The largest increase was recorded in TRANSPORTATION (up 4.6 points or 3.2%), followed by HEALTH (up 4.0 points or 2.2%) and HOUSING (up 2.1 points or 1.8%). The only class to record a fall was RECREATION (down 1.0 points or 0.8%). FOOD and EDUCATION were the only groups to record no change, remaining steady at 152.1 and 202.0 respectively.

In June quarter 2003, in original terms, there were 575 dwelling units approved in the ACT. This represented a 1% decrease from March quarter 2003. During the June quarter 2003, the number of approved units was 221 in April 2003, decreasing in May 2003 to 192 units, and falling to 162 units in June 2003.

In the June quarter 2003, of the 575 dwelling units approved 560 were in the private sector. This number was the same as that recorded in the March 2003 quarter. In public sector housing there were 15 dwelling units approved, a 32% decrease from the March 2003 quarter.

Dwelling Units approved

The original value of total building approved in the ACT was $187.8m for the June quarter 2003, an increase of 6% from the previous quarter. The April 2003 value was $62.8m, May 2003 was $73.5m and June 2003 was $51.4m.

The original value of ACT residential building approved rose to $108.3m in June quarter 2003, up 5% from the March quarter 2003. Residential building made up 58% of total building.

The original value of non-residential building approved in the ACT during June quarter 2003 increased to $79.5m, up 7% from the previous quarter. Of this private non-residential building approvals was $44.6m, while public non-residential was $34.9m.

Nationally, the original value of building work approved in the June quarter 2003 was $11,988.5m, a 3% increase from the March quarter 2003.

Building commenced

In original terms, there were a total of 648 dwelling units commenced in the ACT in March quarter 2003. This was a 31% decrease from the previous quarter which had the highest figure since September quarter 1994. Nationally, 38,640 dwelling units were commenced. This was a 13% decrease from the previous quarter.

During March quarter 2003 there were 365 new houses commenced in the ACT. This was a 33% decrease from the previous quarter. Nationally, 25,782 new houses were commenced, a 9% decrease from the previous quarter.

There were 283 units of new 'other residential' building in the ACT in March quarter 2003. This made up 44% of total dwelling units commenced in the ACT. New houses made up the remaining 56% of total dwelling units commenced.

The value of total residential building commenced in the ACT during the quarter ending March 2003 was $127.9m. This was 28% less than the previous quarter. Nationally, $7,525.1m of total residential building was commenced in March quarter 2003, which was also a 12% decrease from the previous quarter.

In the ACT $257.4m of total building was commenced during the March quarter 2003 a decrease of 9% from the previous quarter. Nationally, there was $11,621.1m worth of total building commenced in March quarter 2003, a decrease of 14% from the previous quarter.

Building work completed

There were 359 new houses completed in the private sector during March quarter 2003 in the ACT. During this time there were 24 new public sector houses completed. Nationally, 24,961 private new houses were completed during March quarter 2003. This was a decrease of 18% from the previous quarter.

The total number of dwelling units completed in the ACT in original terms decreased to 544 in March quarter 2003, down 20%. The number of new other residential building units completed in March quarter 2003 decreased to 161, down 54% from the previous quarter. The December 2002 quarter was the highest number of new other residential building units completed since December quarter 1995 (351). In the private sector in March quarter 2003 there were 143 new other residential building units completed in the ACT compared with 18 in the public sector.

During March quarter 2003, 70% of all dwelling units completed in the ACT were new houses, with the remaining 30% being primarily new other residential completions. There were no conversions completed in the March quarter 2003.

The total value of residential building completed in March 2003 was $103.7m, down 23% from the December quarter 2002. Nationally, $6,824.6m of total residential building was completed in March quarter 2003. This was a decrease of 17% from the previous quarter.

The total value of building completed in the ACT during the quarter ending March 2003 was $168.0m, a decrease of 18% from the previous quarter. New houses was the only area of construction that recorded an increase in the March quarter 2003. Nationally, $10,051.0m of total building was completed in March quarter 2003. This was a decrease of 18% from the previous quarter.

CRIME AND JUSTICE

Policing

In June quarter 2003, there were 11,301 offences (excluding drug and traffic) reported or that became known to the ACT police. This figure was an increase of 8% from March quarter 2003 (10,452 offences), and an increase of 2% from June quarter 2002 (11,105 offences).

The main offences reported were THEFT and RELATED OFFENCES (4,564 offences or 40% of reported offences) PROPERTY DAMAGE and POLLUTION (2,179 offences or 19%) and MISCELLANEOUS OFFENCES (1,417 offences or 13%).

Since March quarter 2003, the largest increase in reported offences was recorded in PROPERTY DAMAGE, POLLUTION, which increased by 366 offences (20%). This was followed by THEFTandRELATED OFFENCES, up 317 offences (7%), MISCELLANEOUS OFFENCES, up 179 offences (14%), and DECEPTION OFFENCES, up 114 offences (90%).

The largest decreases from the previous quarter were recorded in ACTS INTENDED TO CAUSE INJURY which decreased by 80 offences (12%) and SEXUAL ASSAULT and RELATED OFFENCES, which decreased by 47 offences (51%).

From March quarter 2003 to June quarter 2003, there was a 22% decrease in the number of traffic infringement notices and breaches, from 7,089 to 5,541.

While the number of random breath tests conducted decreased by 6,810 (35%) from March quarter 2003 to June quarter 2003 (19,420 and 12,610 respectively), the number of tests exceeding RBT limit increased by 235 (114%) from 206 to 441. This resulted in an increase of 2.4 percentage points in the amount of tests exceeding the RBT limit, from 1.1 in March quarter 2003 to 3.5 in June quarter 2003.

There was a 16% increase in the number of DRUG ARRESTS AND SUMMONS from March quarter 2003 to June quarter 2003 and an increase of 18% from June quarter 2002.

The number of SEPARATE DRUG CHARGES in June quarter 2003 was up 32% (34) from March quarter 2003, and 57% (51) from June quarter 2002.

Overall, there was a 6% decrease in the total number of incidents in the ACT from 18,388 in March quarter 2003 to 17,229 incidents in June quarter 2003. The number of incidents requiring patrols decreased 8% from 12,513 incidents in March quarter 2003 to 11,456 in June quarter 2003.

COURTS

Children's Court

There were 229 defendants facing the Children's Court during June quarter 2003. This was an increase of 16% from March quarter 2003, but a decrease of 11% from June quarter 2002. The main offences were DECEPTION OFFENCES (65 defendants or 28% of total defendants), ACTS INTENDED TO CAUSE INJURY (52 defendants or 23%) and JUSTICE PROCEDURES (29 defendants or 13%).

The largest increase in the number of defendants recorded was in the category of DECEPTION, which increased by 20 defendants (44%). This was followed by ACTS INTENDED TO CAUSE INJURY, up 13 defendants (33%).

The largest decrease in the number of defendants was recorded for TRAFFIC OFFENCES, which decreased by 6 defendants (23%).

Magistrate's Court

There were 1,974 defendants facing the Magistrate's Court during June quarter 2003. This was an increase of 49% from March quarter 2003 (up 650 defendants) and an increase of 23% in the number of defendants compared with June quarter 2002 (1,603 defendants).

The main offence categories were TRAFFIC OFFENCES (802 defendants or 41% of defendants), DECEPTION (250 defendants or 13%) and OTHER (232 defendants or 12%).

Most categories of offences recorded an increase in the number of defendants from March quarter 2003 to June quarter 2003. The largest increases in the number of defendants were recorded in TRAFFIC OFFENCES which increased by 384 defendants (92%) and OTHER up 154 defendants (197%). ROBBERY, EXTORTION and RELATED OFFENCES was the only category to recorded a decrease from March quarter 2003, down 11 defendants (79%).

Corrections

In June quarter 2003, nearly two-thirds (66%) of ACT people in prison custody were held in NSW correction facilities. People held in ACT correction facilities were unsentenced people and sentenced fine default only prisoners.

In June quarter 2003, 127 ACT people were held in prison custody in NSW. This figure was a 6% decrease from March quarter 2003 (135 people), and a decrease of 5% from June quarter 2002 (134 people). Males accounted for 94% of ACT people in NSW correction facilities. This was lower than the previous quarter (95%) but equal to June quarter 2002 (94%).

During June quarter 2003, there was a daily average of 65 people within ACT correction facilities. This was an 8% decrease from March quarter 2003 (71 people) but a 12% increase from June quarter 2002 (58 people). Males made up 94% of people held in ACT correction facilities in the June quarter 2003.

The rate of ACT people held in correction facilities (both ACT and NSW) per 100,000 of the ACT adult population was 78.4 in June quarter 2003. This was a decrease of 7% from the previous quarter (84.5 people) and 1% from June quarter 2002 (79.0 people). The ACT prisoner rate per 100,000 population was the lowest of all states and territories in June quarter 2003, followed by Victoria (97.2 people).

Nationally, 149.0 people were held in prison custody per 100,000 of the adult population during June quarter 2003. This was an increase of 1% from the previous quarter (147.5 people) and 2% from June quarter 2002 (145.6 people).

FINANCE

Lending finance

The value of total ACT housing finance commitments was $175m at the end of the July quarter 2003. This was up 9% from the previous quarter. In the three months of July quarter 2003, there was an increase between April and May 2003 (up 3%), a decrease between May and June 2003 (down 4%), and an increase between June and July 2003 (up 9%).

Nationally, the value of housing finance commitments rose to $11b, up 22% from April 2003 and up 28% from July 2002.

The value of total ACT personal finance commitments increased to $101m at the end of the July quarter 2003, up 22% from the previous quarter.

Total ACT personal finance commitments at the end of the July quarter 2003 consisted of $38m of personal fixed loans (38% of total personal commitments), and $62m of revolving credit commitments (62%). There was an increase of 19% in both personal fixed loan commitments and personal revolving credit commitments between April and July 2003.

Nationally, total personal finance commitments increased to $7,028m in July 2003, up 25% from April 2003 and up 22% from July 2002.

The ACT total value of commercial finance commitments was $206m at the end of the July quarter 2003, up 10% from April 2003. Nationally, total commercial finance commitments increased by 21% over this period to $25b in July 2003.

The total value of lease finance commitments in the ACT was $72m at the end of July 2003, up 279% from the previous quarter. Nationally, total lease finance commitments increased by 34% over this period to $628m in July 2003.

Finance Commitments(a)

RETAIL TURNOVER

Retail

The trend turnover for retail trade for July 2003 was $318.3m. This was less than a 1% increase from the June 2003 figure of $317.9m and a 5% increase from July 2002 ($302.8m). Trend turnover for retail trade has recorded an increase each month since November 2002.

The national retail trade trend turnover was $15,074.5m for July 2003, a 1% increase from the June 2003 figure of $14,973.5m. This was a 6% increase from the July 2002 figure of $14,251.6m.

During July 2003, FOOD RETAILING recorded the highest turnover in the ACT ($116.3m or 37% of total turnover). This was followed by HOSPITALITY AND SERVICES ($60.9m or 19%), HOUSEHOLD GOOD RETAILING ($55.4m or 17%) and DEPARTMENT STORES ($29.5m or 9%).

Between June 2003 and July 2003, decreases were recorded in all industry groups except for HOSPITALITY AND SERVICES (up 2%)OTHER RETAILING (up 1%), and CLOTHING AND SOFT GOOD RETAILING which stayed the same. RECREATIONAL GOOD RETAILING decreased by 2%, DEPARTMENT STORES decreased by 1%, HOUSEHOLD GOOD RETAILING decreased by 1%, and FOOD RETAILING decreased by less than 1%.

Retail turnover

ECONOMY

State final demand

The ACT trend state final demand (chain volume measures) for June quarter 2003 increased by 1% from the previous quarter, to $5,381m. In the 12 months to June 2003, trend state final demand (chain volume measures) rose by 4%. This rise consisted of a 22% increase in public gross fixed capital formation, a 18% increase in private gross fixed capital formation, a 3% increase in household consumption expenditure, and a 2% increase in general government consumption expenditure.

The June quarter 2003 ACT trend state final demand (chain volume measures) represented the 10th quarter of increase since the December quarter 2000 decline of 1%. The decrease in December quarter 2000 resulted from a decrease in both private gross fixed capital formation and general government consumption expenditure (7% and 2% respectively from the previous quarter).

Nationally, the trend domestic final demand (chain volume measures) in June quarter 2003 was $191.3b. The June quarter figure for 2003 represented an increase of 1% from the previous quarter, and an increase of 5% from June quarter 2002.

State final demand

TRANSPORT

New motor vehicle sales

In July 2003, the trend estimate of new motor vehicle sales for the ACT was 1,256 (down 0.8% from June 2003). This was the first decrease since October 2002.

Nationally, the trend estimate for total new motor vehicles sales was 77,678 in July 2003, up 0.4% from June 2003.

The trend estimate of new motor vehicle sales for the states and territories in Australia showed both increases and decreases in new motor vehicle sales from June 2003 to July 2003. Western Australia and Tasmania (each up 1.5%), Queensland (up 0.9%) and Victoria (up 0.4%) all recorded an increase. The NT (down 1.9%), ACT (down 0.8%), South Australia (down 0.5%) and New South Wales (down 0.2%) all recorded a decrease. The national figure increased by 0.4%.

The trend number of motor vehicle sales in the ACT has fluctuated over the last four years. Highs were recorded in September 2000 (1,295 sales) and October 2000 (1,290 sales). Lows were recorded in March 2002 (1,154 sales) and April 2002 (1,157 sales).

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, Total vehicles

Airport movements

In March quarter 2003 a total of 448,699 airline passengers were recorded through the Canberra International Airport. Of these 227,011 passengers were inbound and 221,688 passengers were outbound. This represented a 9% decrease in passenger movements from the previous quarter (down 45,197 passenger movements) but a 3% increase from March quarter 2002 (up 13,820).

A total of 8,528 aircraft travelled through the Canberra Airport in March quarter 2003. This was a 6% decrease from December quarter 2002 (9,073 aircraft movements) and a 9% decrease from March quarter 2002 (9,323).

CLIMATE

Winter 2003 in the ACT was windier, warmer and wetter than normal. The mean wind run was 189.1 kilometres per day compared with the long-term average of 177.6 km/day. Wind run is the total distance travelled by the wind in a given period of time. It is measured on a daily (24 hour) basis using a cup anemometer at two metres above the ground. In the ACT there were 11 days of strong winds recorded in winter 2003, compared with the average of seven days. There were also two days on which gales were recorded, compared with an average of nil.

The highest daily temperature during the three months of winter was 17.4 degrees Celsius, recorded on 23 July. The lowest daily temperature was -4.9 degrees Celsius, recorded on 28 July.

In winter 2003, the average daily maximum temperature was 12.7 degrees Celsius, above the long-term average of 12.1 degrees. The average daily minimum temperature was 1.9 degrees, above the long-term average of 0.4 degrees. This resulted in fewer frosts, with 53 frosts recorded, compared with the average of 58.

At the Canberra Airport 149.2mm of rainfall was recorded over 41 days in winter 2003. The winter average is 129.0mm over 30 days. Thunder was recorded at the airport on two days in winter (one more than average). Hail was recorded on five days, compared with a winter average of nil.

The average daily sunshine for winter 2003 was 6.1 hours per day, above the average of 5.9 hours. Fog was reported on 19 days, fewer than the average of 21 days. Winter evaporation was 178.4mm, above the average of 176.2mm. The average daily pressure was 1020.6 hPa, higher than the long-term average of 1020.1 hPa.

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